Work & Work Out: Tech Mounts for Exercise Equipment

When it comes to exercise and tech, swinging arms and earbud cords just don't mix and it's pretty difficult to read an e-book with a tablet bouncing in hand. Anyone who likes to pass the time in the gym by reading, writing emails or listening to music on an electronic device should check out the world of exercise equipment mounts.

Designed to keep phones, music players, tablets, and even full-size laptops secure on treadmills and bikes, most store-bought mounts are easily removable after being used with shared equipment in a membership gym or apartment community gym. And anyone with their own machine can check out the DIY options below, each offering stable rigs for holding gear securely while burning the calories.

SurfShelf ($39.95)Work and workout. SurfShelf (pictured top) is mounted to exercise machines using an included strap to provide a solid and secure shelf big enough for a laptop and get some major multi-tasking done.

ZHIP ($14.95)From the makers of SurfShelf above, ZHIP is a compact phone and iPod holder that uses a retractable cord to hang from surfaces like airplane tray table latches, the backs of car headrests, and yes, even the treadmill.

OtterBox Utility Series Latch ($49.95)Seriously secure, the OtterBox tablet case includes adjustable elastic mounting straps amongst its endless rugged features, making it perfect for a long haul on the stationary bike.

DIY Options:

Fabric SlingWith a little measuring, cutting, and sewing, Laura Bray of Katydiddys designed a fabric holder for her iPod that wraps around the treadmill's control panel with a hook-and-loop Velcro tape strap. Cute, cozy, and workout-friendly!

VelcroKeep it simple. To mount a tablet or phone onto a treadmill, just use a few squares of standard hook-and-loop Velcro strips. To keep gear pristine and avoid sticky residue, buy a cheap snap-on case for workouts and tack the adhesive Velcro onto the back instead of the device itself.

Hardware Laptop ShelfTo DIY something heavy-duty, head to the hardware store and build a sturdy laptop shelf that mounts onto a treadmill or other machine's crossbar with conduit hangers. The video above from ManMade DIY shows how it's done.